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Reproductive ecology and behaviour of the Puerto Rican Nightjar Caprimulgus noctitherus

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2010

Francisco J. Vilella
Francisco J. Vilella
Affiliation:
U.S. National Biological Service, Mississippi Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, P.O. Drawer BX, Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, Mississippi State University, Mississippi, MS 39762, U.S.A.
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The reproductive ecology and behaviour of the endangered Puerto Rican Nightjar Caprimulgus noctitherus was studied at the Guanica Forest, located in south-western Puerto Rico. From 1985 to 1987 a total of 23 nightjar nests were located. Nests were initiated between 24 February and 2 July. Nightjar males were mostly responsible for parental duties. An elaborate nest-relief ceremony was discovered for this species. Courtship and laying activities were most common during the new moon and last quarter phases. Hatching dates were centred 3-5 days around the first quarter and during full moon. A total of 87% of the nests were successful in producing at least one fledgling. Locomotory activity of radio-tagged nightjar males was higher during periods of twilight, and averaged 61.5 m/movement. Area of primary utilization (i.e. home range) averaged 5.2 ha/nightjar during the period of transmission. A large portion of the species's current range is privately owned forestland that could be subjected to changes (i.e. deforestation), rendering it useless for nightjars. The sedentary nature and nesting habits of this species make it particularly sensitive to the physical and ecological alteration of mature dry forest. Conservation of existing reserves, reforestation of disturbed areas with native and selected plantation species, and acquisition of privately owned tracts of mature dry limestone forest will help to insure the long-term survival of the species throughout its range.

La ecologia reproductiva del Guabairo Pequeno de Puerto Rico Caprimulgus noctitherus, conocido comunmente como guabairo, se estudió en el bosque de Guánica, localizado en el suroeste de Puerto Rico. Del 1985-1987 se localizaron un total de 23 nidos. La temporada reproductiva se extendió desde el 24 de febrero hasta el 2 de julio. El macho de la especie es mayormente responsable por el cuidado parental. Se descubrió una ceremonia altamente elaborada para el relevo en el nido. La actividad de cortejeo y el comienzo de los nidos era mas común durante las fases de luna nueva y cuarto menguante. Las fechas de eclosion se encontraban de 3–5 dfas alrededor del cuarto creciente y la luna llena. Un 87% de los nidos fueron exitosos en producir por lo menos un volantón. La actividad locomotora de machos de guabairo equipados con radiotransmisores fue más alta durante el perfodo crepuscular y promedió 61.5 m/ movimiento. El área de utilizatión primaria promedio fue de 5.2 ha/guabairo durante el perfodo de transmisión. Una parte considerable de la distributión del guabairo aún se encuentra en áreas bajo propiedad privada, podiendo sufrir cambios dramáticos en la compositión del paisaje (i.e. desmonte). La naturaleza sedentaria de esta especie y sus hábitos reproductivos la hace particularmente vulnerable a la alteratión fisica y ecológica del bosque seco. La conservatión de las unidades de conservatión existentes, la reforestatión con especies de árboles nativos y algunas especies de plantatión, y la adquisición de áreas privadas de bosque seco maduro ayudará a asegurar la sobrevivencia a largo plazo de la especie a través de su distribution geográfica.

Type
Research Article
Information
Bird Conservation International , Volume 5 , Issue 2-3: In memory of Ted Parker , September 1995 , pp. 349 - 366
Copyright
Copyright © Birdlife International 1995

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